Dear friends of DJCF,
Now that it’s mid-July, it’s fitting that we enter the Hebrew month of Tammuz. Translated from Hebrew to mean heating, as in a furnace, here in Texas, life is imitating scripture. The latter part of the month of Tammuz marks “the three weeks” where several significant negative events occurred in Jewish history – notably when Moses broke the tablets after seeing Jews worship the Golden Calf and later, the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Romans in 69 CE. We are called to mourn the destruction of the Holy Temple and our launch into a still-ongoing exile. It concludes with the fast of the 9th of Av, Tisha B’Av, the saddest day of the Jewish calendar.
If Tammuz is the month of our fall, perhaps it also holds a clue to getting back on our feet. There is a kabbalistic view about how suffering is an encounter with G-d that requires us to feel pain in order to promote evolution, a process that feels dark while we’re in it. But in retrospect, a challenge sometimes takes on a new meaning – a blessing in disguise. Concealed good (pain and suffering) becomes revealed good (growth and experience). When we stumble and still manage to find G-d in the darkness, we are training ourselves to see the good that hides in the difficulty and darkness we encounter in life.
Jewish sages also tell us that those who mourn the destruction of Jerusalem will merit seeing it rebuilt with the coming of Moshiach. Investing in the work of understanding our history, so that we are not doomed to repeat it, seems like a productive use of time. May that day come soon, so that all mournful dates on the calendar may be transformed into days of joy and happiness.
In the lead up to my own personal reflection during “the three weeks” period, and since my last newsletter, I’ve attended three memorial services, each celebrating the lives of people who were an entire world to those who are mourning. They were community pillars, fathers, brothers, uncles, mothers, friends, all beloved.
One of the experiences that led me to convert to Judaism was attending the funeral and shiva of my (now) husband’s grandmother. The ritual and tradition that rallies Jewish communal support behind a family experiencing grief, loss, and tragedy – one that we all process individually – struck me as so deeply moving.
Death can be an uncomfortable subject. However, in our work at DJCF, we regularly face this discomfort, recognizing that our tradition calls us to elevate the memory of a loved one so it may serve as a blessing. Tzedakah (charity) is one way to make a loved one’s memory tangible in the world. Giving to causes that were important to the deceased keeps their beliefs alive and active, connecting the living and the dead in the work of tikkun olam (repairing the world).
Helping to repair the world is a way to translate grief into healing and justice, Tzedek. Yizkor, literally translated to “remember”, is the special memorial prayer for the departed that is recited in synagogue four times a year. There are two parts to the pledge: a brief prayer for the departed and a commitment to give tzedakah on behalf of the deceased person’s soul.
When you arrive at the Byrna and Joe Funk Family Philanthropy Center, DJCF’s HQ, we have a memorial plaque to the left of the entrance. On rotating display are the names of fundholders whose yahrzeit (anniversary of one’s passing), is occurring that month. Kabbalah teaches that on its yahrzeit, the soul is at its greatest strength and the radiance of one’s memory is at its brightest. As with other Jewish customs, the feelings stirred up are often complicated. We are supposed to be rejoicing about our loved one’s soul journey from strength to strength, but we are also reminded of our heartbreaking loss. This constant beautiful reminder at our door grounds me in the day-to-day work with fundholders and their families – so that their memory can serve as a blessing.
We recently drafted some guidelines for how to use a fund at DJCF to honor the memory of a loved one. Any of these can be established as part of a regular estate plan, but your team at DJCF stands ready to quickly and nimbly respond when the need arises – we’ve established memorial funds in a matter of hours.
How to Get Started:
- Define the Purpose – determine the specific causes or organizations your loved one cared about
- Choose the Type of Fund – DJCF offers a wide range of charitable giving vehicles, from DAFs to Endowments. We’ll work with you and your family to determine the most appropriate fit for your needs.
- Establish the Fund – funds can be established during one’s lifetime or funded upon passing
- Contribute to the Fund – family, friends, and the community can contribute to a fund at DJCF, and we can accept a wide range of assets as charitable gifts – conveniently, quickly, and in most cases, electronically.
- Ongoing Fund Administration – DJCF will lead day-to-day administration, and for certain fund types, the fund’s advisors can dedicate their time and resources to which charities best reflect the values and passions of their loved one, of blessed memory. The MY DJCF portal enables fund advisors to see who has contributed to the fund, for purposes of writing thank you letters or providing follow-up.
While Judaism places most emphasis on living (l’chaim!), our practice for facing lifecycle events provides us with a road map for navigating the world around us. Although everyone experiences loss in an individual way, ritual and tradition remind us that even in grief and mourning, we are not alone. For as Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Riemer wrote, “As long as we live, they too will live, for they are now a part of us; as we remember them”
July Partner Spotlight
We will shine a light on several organizations with whom we are proud to partner – raising awareness about current needs and important work being done in our community by agencies you may not be familiar with! You can give from your fund via the DJCF Portal, or click the links below to support.
CHAI – Community Homes for Adults, Inc. offers state-of-the-art group homes and vocational, educational, social, and spiritual programs for adults with intellectual disabilities. CHAI recently announced a new strategic plan with the goal of expanding services and programs, hiring and retention of skilled staff members, and increasing advocacy efforts to lead intellectual disability services in our community. Learn more here: Strategic Plan 2024-2028 – CHAI Dallas
Congregation Tiferet Israel – Established in 1890, Tiferet Israel is a modern orthodox synagogue working toward making Judaism stronger and the world around us better. Members and general community members are invited to welcome Shabbat with other young families at “First Fridays Family Fun” – the next of which occurs Friday, August 2nd at 5:30. RSVP here: Event: First Friday Family Fun (calendarwiz.com)
Ann and Nate Levine Academy – At Ann and Nate Levine Academy, education is active, purposeful, and enlivening. The teaching and learning tapestry is woven together with 21st-century skills, including critical thinking and creativity in the Language Arts, exploration and problem-solving through STEM curriculum, peoplehood and globalism in Judaic and Hebrew studies, inspiration and bonding through experiential trips, plus community building and caring for our world through art, celebrations, social/emotional development, and so much more. Support the school’s continued investment in education: General Donation Form – Ann & Nate Levine Academy
Texas Hillel Foundation – Students are confronting antisemitism on our campus and in the world that is unprecedented in their lifetime. TEXAS HILLEL IS HERE FOR STUDENTS IN THIS MOMENT OF NEED. Hillel’s core mission and work have never been more needed and is here to support students’ physical and mental health. Texas Hillel has partnered with Jewish Family Services and now has a trained mental health professional on staff to ensure that students can receive affordable care without a long wait. Stand with students at UT Austin by giving through DJCF’s crisis and community response crowdfunding site: Crisis Response – Texas Hillel Foundation (fcsuite.com)
Network for Animal’s Starting Over Sanctuary (SOS) – in the Moshav Herut region of central Israel, saves countless donkeys from deplorable conditions. We received a beautiful update from them about new life for animals rescued in the aftermath of October 7th: new baby donkeys! Watch a video here to learn more: GENERAL SOS UPDATE (canva.com) and give through our website here: Crisis Response – Network for Animals (fcsuite.com)
Upcoming Programs & Events
DJCF/SWCF Open House
8/22 | 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
We are delighted to invite you to join us for an Open House at DJCF/SWCF’s new Byrna & Joe Fund Family Philanthropy Center offices! Please drop by to explore our new space, visit with our dedicated team members, and learn more about exciting opportunities to engage with DJCF/SWCF in the year ahead.
We’ll have light refreshments at this come-and-go event. We look forward to seeing you! RSVP Here!
2024 Professional Advisors Seminar
9/4 | 7:30 am – 10:30 am
Now in its 29th year, the DJCF/SWCF Professional Advisors Seminar is one of the cornerstone annual events for the Dallas professional advisor community. The seminar offers the opportunity to learn from a nationally recognized expert, earn continuing education credits, and network with professional advisors across several fields. The content of the seminar is designed to appeal to accountants, estate attorneys, financial planners, insurance agents, wealth advisors, and other related professions. This year, the seminar will take place on September 4 at the Westin Galleria and will feature Russell James III, Ph.D., J.D., CFP®, a renowned expert in financial planning and charitable giving. Professor James is the CH Foundation Chair of Personal Financial Planning and the Charitable Giving Program Director at Texas Tech University.
Registration will open on Tuesday, July 23, to learn more Click Here!
Call for Art – We are so excited to partner with the Texas Jewish Artists Association to display a rotating exhibition at our new Byrna and Joe Fund Family Philanthropy Center. If you or someone you know, is a Jewish artist in Texas, please have them contact the TJAA at info@texasjewisharts.org to learn more.
Your Legacy, Our Jewish Future: The Stanley Family Legacy – if you missed our webinar with DJHS, and brothers Marc & David Stanley, you can watch the replay here: Your Legacy, Our Jewish Future – Stanley Family Legacy Webinar – DJHS + DJCF (youtube.com).
Investment Reports & Fund Statements
The Foundation’s investment portfolio is managed by Graystone Consulting, under the guidance of the Foundation Investment Committee. This relationship has allowed us to offer seven investment models for our constituents to choose from. Graystone provides monthly investment return information on the models as a whole and fact cards for the individual models and the sub-funds that make up each model.
DJCF’s investment performance reports through June are posted on the website. These reports can be found on the Investment Reports page under ‘Tools + Resources’ tab on our menu toggle, found here: Investment Reports – Dallas Jewish Community Foundation (djcf.org)
DJCF’s Investment Committee will have a 15-minute community session available to the public at its quarterly meeting on Wednesday, August 14 at 11:30 AM.
June fund holder statements will be released in your My DJCF portal soon.
